Green Day is facing heavy criticism and calls for boycotts after lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong held up a Trump mask during a concert, just weeks after the former president survived an assassination attempt.
Armstrong, 52, sparked controversy at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., where Green Day performed alongside The Smashing Pumpkins. During their set, Armstrong held up a Trump mask with "idiot" scrawled across the forehead while singing a modified version of their hit song "American Idiot." Instead of the original "Redneck agenda," Armstrong sang, "I'm not a part of the MAGA agenda," as captured in videos from the show.
This isn't the first time Green Day has taken a stance against Trump. The band has a history of altering their lyrics to express their political views. During a televised performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, they similarly swapped "Redneck" for "MAGA." Their anti-Trump sentiment dates back to 2016, with their performance at the American Music Awards where they chanted "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA" during the song "Bang Bang."
In 2017, Green Day released the anti-Trump anthem "Troubled Times" on their album Revolution Radio. The band's vocal opposition has garnered mixed reactions, with some fans supporting their stance and others criticizing them for being overly political.
The recent mask stunt, however, has intensified the backlash, with many calling the band "trash" and urging a boycott of their music. As the political climate remains charged, Green Day's bold statements continue to provoke strong reactions from both supporters and detractors.
